Art of Food Festival connects community with local agriculture

The Firehouse Art Center is kicking off its summer event schedule with a new look at art and food. On Saturday, May 14, the Firehouse Art Center will introduce the Art of Food Festival.

The Art of Festival aims to connect the Longmont community with local agriculture and food entrepreneurs from Boulder County, according to Elaine Waterman, the executive director of the Firehouse Art Center.

The festival will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fourth Avenue between Main Street and Coffman Street. 

From 3 to 4 p.m., Intermission, a high school student led band, will take the stage and play classic rock, alternative rock and pop covers for the whole family to enjoy. From 4 to 7 p.m., Community Drums will have an interactive performance. 

Rising Tiger, Slow Food Boulder, Wispy Greens, Bricks Retail, Traction Coffee and more Longmont based vendors will have booths at the festival, from which Longmonters can purchase their locally made products. 

Local artists will have booths with crafts specifically geared towards kids that relate to agriculture, the planet, weather or food, according to Waterman.

Beyond local artists’ booths, children and their families can sign up to paint mini canvases for $5 each at the Firehouse Art Center during the festival. They’ll also have the opportunity to partake in the chalk painting of a street mural. 

Community members of all ages will be encouraged to help paint an interactive chalk mural at the Art of Food Festival that, once finished, will portray a beautiful floral portrait on the street, Waterman explained. 

Waterman hopes that the mural, at least for a while, will act as a reminder for the Longmont community about the importance of local agriculture, she said. 

“We hope that the community — especially families — will come out, connect with local food producers, enjoy live music and have fun at the Art of Food Festival,” Waterman said.

The Art of Food Festival is a zero-waste event. The festival will take place rain or shine. 

Correction: This article has been altered to reflect the correct name of Community Drums.